Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Humane and Sustainable Livestock Farming Workshop

Join
the Northeast Organic Farming Association of
Connecticut (CT NOFA) and the owners of Footsteps Farm, Craig and
Sheryl Floyd, to learn about human certified and sustainable livestock farming
on May 21 from 4pm – 7pm. Since 2002,
Craig and Sheryl have produce humanely raised, grass fed pork, chickens,
turkeys, beef and other farm products on the 15 acre Footsteps Farm in
Stonington.

In
2006 Craig and Sheryl earned the Humane Certification for their poultry
(turkeys, layer chickens and broilers) and their pigs. The certification is a consumer certification
and labeling program and Footsteps Farm is the first and only Humane Certified
farm in Connecticut. The label means that eggs, dairy or meat were produced
with the welfare of the farm animal in mind.
Craig describes his livestock as “free range all day, every day.” Craig will also explain Management Intensive
Grazing, a rotational grazing system.
These practices while ecological and humane also create high quality
meats, dairy and eggs. Even
Martha Stewart chose Bourbon Red Turkey from Footsteps Farm for her
Thanksgiving Dinner.

The
workshop is for farmers, homesteaders, or anyone interested in livestock
production with a focus on heritage breed turkeys, Scottish Highlander cattle,
Footsteps Farm’s own breed of pig, the Large Shireworth, laying hens and
broiler chickens (though they will not be on the farm at the time of the
workshop).

After
the workshop there will be a beginning farmer dinner and gathering for those
who have farmed for ten years or fewer.
The workshop and beginning farmer mixer are made possible by a grant
from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture through the USDA Beginning
Farmer and Rancher Development Program.
Workshop registration is $20 for members and beginning farmers (ten
years or fewer of farming experience) and $30 for non-members. To register in advance call our office at
203-888-5146 or visit www.ctnofa.org.

CT NOFA is an
independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the practices of
ecologically sound farming and gardening, and to the development of local
sustainable agriculture.